KANSAS CITY, Mo. -
The MIAA has announced new league COVID protocols and policies for the 2021
fall semester. These protocols and policies were proposed by the MIAA
COVID-19 Task Force and approved by the MIAA Athletic Administrators
Committee and CEO Council.
The MIAA policies follow the general guidance the NCAA has provided to the
membership this year. These policies state that COVID-19 prevention and
management strategies should be developed at the school and community
level, in each case with federal, state and local public health guidance.
“Our primary concern continues to be taking care of each other in the
conference, and staying healthy,” explains MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy. “In
this regard, we will look to each school to decide health
management and prevention strategies for their athletics teams based on
guidance and direction from local health authorities.”
Under the fall semester protocol, MIAA Tier 1 individuals who are
vaccinated will be exempt from campus COVID testing and exempt from being
asked to quarantine unless the individual is exhibiting COVID symptoms or
unless vaccinated individuals are mandated to test and/or quarantine per
institutional policy. MIAA Tier 1 individuals who are not vaccinated will
be subject to campus COVID testing requirements, isolation restrictions
following a positive test, and quarantine restrictions as a result of
contact tracing.
The MIAA will follow the current CDC and NCAA guidance for quarantine
restrictions which suggests a 10-day isolation period. However, quarantine
restrictions may end after day seven if the individual receives a negative
test following testing on day five or later of the quarantine period.
Fall attendance policies and mask requirements of athletes, coaches and
spectators will be campus-level decisions.
The MIAA continues to encourage the use of masks by all Tier 1 individuals,
whether vaccinated or not vaccinated, when engaging in nonphysical team
activities.
The fall semester protocols also include policies on the management of MIAA
officials, contact tracing and postponements of contests.
These protocols and policies are effective immediately. Official
competition for the 2021 fall seasons is scheduled to begin Thursday,
September 2.
The MIAA office is collecting campus restrictions for fans and visitors.
The MIAA will manage a Fan Page dedicated to this campus information
on the MIAA website and it will be updated each week.